AS anticipation builds for the climax of this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) on Saturday, May 9, the race for the coveted Artiste of the Year (AOTY) title is reaching a fever pitch.
And among the heavyweights vying for the crown, rapper Medikal is making a definitive case for why he deserves the industry’s ultimate honour.In a field stacked with talent including Black Sherif, Stonebwoy, Wendy Shay, Sarkodie and Diana Hamilton, Medikal remains undeterred. Riding the wave of his massive hit, Shoulder, the award-winning rapper believes his impact over the past year is unmatched.
In an interview with the Graphic Showbiz, Medikal, born Samuel Adu Frimpong, revealed that while he has been a frequent nominee in this category over the last decade, he had never actively campaigned until now because he strongly believes this is his moment.
“Over the past decade, I have received Artiste of the Year nominations, but I never campaigned. This edition, based on the work I’ve put in—from the hit singles and the Distribution II album to my sold-out stadium show, it’s obvious I’ve gone above and beyond,” he said.
The Confirm hitmaker clarified that his confidence isn’t a slight against his peers, but rather a reflection of the cultural shift he believes he has sparked.
“I respect everybody in the category, but I deserve to win. I’ve put in the work, and Ghanaians know it. At the end of the day, it’s about impact, and I’ve made a strong case this year,” he added.
This year, Medikal, bagged eight nominations including Artiste of the Year, Best Hiplife Song, Best Hiplife/Hip-Hop Artiste, Best Music Video, Best Rap Performance, Collaboration of the Year, Album/EP of the Year and Most Popular Song of the Year.
He also described Shoulder, featuring Shatta Wale and Beeztrap KOTM as the standout track of 2025.
“Shoulder is the biggest song of 2025. It’s not just about numbers, it’s about how people live with the music. That’s the real impact. Truth is, I didn’t just release music; I influenced the culture, and my impact was felt all around,” he stated.
That’s not all, for Medikal, one of the defining moments of his year was performing before a packed stadium of over 40,000 fans screaming his lyrics back at him word-for-word.
“Watching over 40,000 people sing every word while I performed at the sold-out stadium show was something else. That’s the defining moment for me. That’s when you know the work is real, the ultimate validation,” he noted.
He credited his manager and brother, Kofi Jam, for helping to drive his successful campaign year.
“Teamwork is very key. My brother and manager, Kofi Jam and I have been leading the charge, ensuring everything runs smoothly,” he explained.
While awaiting the final verdict on the awards night, Medikal discloses that winning the Artiste of the Year title would represent growth, consistency and validation for both himself and his loyal BYK fanbase.
However, the rapper, who has experienced the highs and lows of the industry, is prepared for any outcome. He recalled when some 10 years ago he received seven nominations but won no awards.
“Very early in my career, I got seven nominations and zero awards. That was a decade ago and I’m still here. So I won’t be discouraged,” he added.
